After a successful first year, "The Place 2BU" is returning to Baylor University with another slate of free weekend activities for Baylor students.

"The Place 2BU" is a collaborative program consisting of students and staff members from various Student Life departments who identify and plan fun events on designated weekends throughout the fall and spring semesters.

"The Place 2BU" events kicked off Aug. 30 with a free concert by Christian music groups, Avalon and Sign of Jonah, and a hot air balloon glow featuring more than 20 of the balloons competing in the Heart of Texas National Balloon Championships in Waco. Officials estimate more than 8,000 people attended the open-air concert that was held on the parking lot of the Ferrell Center.

The Student Life division added a full-time staff member to oversee planning for "The Place 2BU" and other special events. Becki Majors, coordinator of student union programs, came to Baylor from the University of Nebraska, where she earned her master's degree in educational administration with an emphasis in student affairs.

"Last year, 'The Place 2BU' was started in order to answer students' requests for night and weekend programming," Majors said. "The events not only give individual students the chance to get involved on campus, but also student organizations."

This year also will feature increased student participation in the event-planning process.

"Many of the events are planned in conjunction with student organizations, such as 'Fifth Quarter on Fifth Street,' 'A Night at the Improv' and 'Christmas on Fifth Street,'" Majors said.

'A Night at the Improv,' Majors noted, should prove to be one of this year's highlights.

"If you like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway,' you will enjoy seeing one of Dallas' top improv comedians, Tim Hawkins, and Baylor's own student improvisation group," she said.

'The Place 2BU' was deemed a success last year, and some of the events and policies will stay in tact in order to keep the winning tradition.

"Because of their popularity, some events are returning this year, like 'Late Night at the SLC,'" Majors said. "'The Place 2BU' wants to continue to co-sponsor events with various student organizations, increasing participation in campus activities and with students."

'The Place 2BU' events are free and open to all Baylor students and are funded through the Division of Student Life. Some area businesses also have assisted in making the events possible through in-kind services.

For more information, contact of the department of student activities at (254) 710-2371.